We all have a goal that we are trying to achieve. It doesn’t matter if you are a runner or a musician; there is always something that you would like to have. Well, though I wish that fairy godmothers were real……they’re not. It’s our responsibility to go out and obtain our own wishes and desires. Of course, nothing will ever be accomplished without perseverance and self discipline.

I can not begin to count times I’ve heard, “Yea, I’m in a band. We’re practicing and stuff, but we can’t seem to really get any gigs or get a break.” Of course, I immediately start asking them how hard they have been trying and what tactics they’ve used. A few months after, I’ll ask how everything is going with their project. Most of time, either nothing has been done or they have been banging their heads against wall with same angle. At this point, I give up on them.

If you want something, here are just a few helpful hints: 1)Make sure all your eggs are lined in a row 2)GO AND GET IT 3)Be persistent 4)Be creative: When one angle doesn’t work, try another angle 5)Be disciplined 6)Know when to give up

Make sure all your eggs are lined in a row I can’t seem to stress this enough: NO ONE WILL DO THINGS FOR YOU. I have a friend who is extremely talented in graphic design, yet he feels like world owes him everything. Since he is still in school, there are some skills that he still needs to fine tune, yet he does not see that. He thinks that he should be given a job because he has raw talent. So, instead of working on what his weaknesses are, he keeps getting angry that no one will hire him. People want a polished product. So, do a self-inventory of yourself every six months. Ask yourself these questions: 1) What are my strengths? 2) What are my weaknesses? 3) What do I need to do to work on my weaknesses? Once you have self-evaluated, you can prioritize what needs to be worked on first and so on. This way you have a structure in which you can follow. The preparation for achieving your goal is half work. Don’t sell it short, or you might end up at square one again.

Go and get it My father used to give me some great advice, “If you want something….examine what it is and things you need to get it. Once everything is ready, just go get it, because no one will get it for you.” How true that statement is. Everyone has their own agendas and is looking out for themselves. Occasionally you will find people who are willing to help you, but they want to see that what they’re investing in is real deal. So make sure that you are real deal. No one will give you time of day if you haven’t proven to them that you are a go-getter and are willing to struggle to make things happen. If you want something, go get it. And if people are so inclined to help you, then it is an extra benefit.

Be Persistent Once you are prepared to go out and achieve your goal…..just do it. But be persistent in doing it. In my early college days I was a tour coordinator for children’s tours. It was a job that seemed interesting, would pay bills, and be flexible around my classes. When I interviewed for job and woman told me that she would call in about a week. I waited that week, but when I hadn’t heard from her, I decided to give her a call. She said that they hadn’t made a decision yet. So, I waited two days and then called again. She told me to call back in a day or two. So, I called late next day. I was hired over phone. She then proceeded to tell me that though my resume did not stand out from any of other candidates, my persistence and passion to have this job was exactly what they were looking for.

Time To Clear The Decks!

There is probably nothing more frustrating than to assume we know how to fix a problem and then end up looking as dumb as a bag of hammers. Here's what I think. In situations like these universe is looking for a good laugh, and it has chosen so wisely to use me as its guinne pig.

Ouch! That hurt. Well, only if you get your panties in a wad. You say, well, why would universe jerk my chain like that? It's really not trying to make us fail; it's just testing us. I think that life is rooting for us! I think life is saying; you can do it! I think life is a wonderful ally.

In writing this article I've had some time to think; what would life really be like if we had no struggles? If everything just dropped in our lap and it looked like Demi Moore, for us guys, and Brad Pitt for you ladies. :>)

Dollars To Doughnuts!

After a while of that, I'll bet we would become so bored that life would no longer have any real meaning. We might do crazy things like eating two dozen doughnuts every day because all we would have to do is wish to be slim again and it would fall on us.

We might attempt to do everything that we could imagine, because with no struggle, it would all be a snap. And, after a while of that, curse of cheap living would drive us insane.

Now, here is an interesting point! If everything in life was just like that, it would be just opposite of way it is now, and, you know what that would bring us? The same thing that we struggle with right now…self pity.

Down In The Dumps!

When we face terrible circumstances pain or trouble tempts us to feel sorry for ourselves. When you start to feel sorry for yourself you are in danger of becoming self righteous. You begin to say, look what happened to me; how unfair; I must have a face that only a mother could love!

If everything in life just dropped in our lap, after awhile we would become so bored with no challenge or struggle, we would begin to feel woe-is-me! A life of boredom would definitely have to be worse than a life of struggle. Either way, same type feelings would become everyday occurrences.

Time For An About Face!

If we will recognize that struggles are coming for our development and refinement, then when life dumps a can of worms on our freshly made masterpiece we can ask; what can I learn from this? How can I grow? Not, who did this to me and how can I get out of it and punch their lights out?